DCWildcat, I am selling my PID'd Silvia V1 and Rocky. I've had both for 7 years and have been very pleased. Moving to an HX machine... :-) Email me if you would like to discuss further. PS I live in Chantilly VA, just west of you.

"The Baratza Virtuoso Preciso grinder sets a new standard for grind speed, particle size, fines (or lack thereof), grinding range, and the amount of fine tuning you can apply to the grind. It truly is a "do it all" grinder that can replace most espresso-specific grinders under $1000, and indeed, any other grinder (save for its big brother, the Vario) designed for multi-use grinding under $500. The biggest deal about this grinder is the lack of fines it produces - even for press grind, you get a relatively clean and even grind that results in less mud in the cup. A close second is the macro / micro feature on selecting your grind - where the Baratza Virtuoso has maybe 2 usable settings for an espresso grind, in our testing, the Preciso has over 20 to fine tune. The lack of grinds-retention inside the grinder, the weight, the speed, the design, the materials used all up to a clear winner of a grinder. Because of these things, the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso Grinder is our best in class grinder under $1,000, pretty much tying with the Vario (based primarily on price and the Preciso's performance on press pot grinding)."

I have the Silvia (about a year) and the Preciso (same time frame but was replaced 3 months ago)

The Silvia is a little overpriced for the bells and whistles that you can get but you get knowledge that it is a horse. This thing is commercial quality and replacement parts are plentiful. That's why I got it. I am not one to send it to a repair shop. Shipping costs alone don't make it worth not just buying a new machine. If you blow out a part on another machine at the same price point I'm not sure you can get parts as easily. I'm sure you can but the Silvia is so popular there are a myriad of sites that have parts and you won't need them today but 5+ years from now you will. I more sure parts will be available in that time frame vs. another brand. Silvia need patience though. About a month or two for me to get the knowledge of how to know when the temp is right. It's pretty much key to making it taste just right. You can get a good timed shot but I can tell when I don't get the temp right. Usually you see it right away. Mine blonds way too early when I don't temp surf. The process makes it fun. At least to me it was. Now it is kinda hum drum but that is because I like the constant search for knowledge. The machine is still great after a year. I baby it though. Sometimes at the expense of the shot I just made because I want to clean it right away. Clean clean clean and you will have years of enjoyment out of any machine.

The Preciso is garbage. Plain and simple. The company is great but sometimes I think they know they put out a piece of crap and really didn't want any brush back by not replacing the bad units. I got it replaced with the "updated" model and it is still all plastic. The inconsistency is legendary IMO. The stresses grinders go through don't lend themselves to the longevity of plastic. Go with the Vario and save yourself the headache. You will still get the Baratza great service, if you need it, and a proven machine. I wish I did but I'm stuck with the Preciso. I'm not one to throw away $300 and just get another machine. I made the choice and I'm going to live with it. I don't know anything about the Rocky. I do believe there are better grinders out there than the Rocky though.

Pilot sorry you dont like the Preciso I opened mine up this morning...and simply love it. I think that Mark is right and so are the others that have tested/reviewed it. Calling it garbage when those in the know love it are not reconcilable opinions. Its definitely not worth arguingabout though. Hope you had a good Christmas bro.

pilot25 Said:

I have the Silvia (about a year) and the Preciso (same time frame but was replaced 3 months ago)

The Silvia is a little overpriced for the bells and whistles that you can get but you get knowledge that it is a horse. This thing is commercial quality and replacement parts are plentiful. That's why I got it. I am not one to send it to a repair shop. Shipping costs alone don't make it worth not just buying a new machine. If you blow out a part on another machine at the same price point I'm not sure you can get parts as easily. I'm sure you can but the Silvia is so popular there are a myriad of sites that have parts and you won't need them today but 5+ years from now you will. I more sure parts will be available in that time frame vs. another brand. Silvia need patience though. About a month or two for me to get the knowledge of how to know when the temp is right. It's pretty much key to making it taste just right. You can get a good timed shot but I can tell when I don't get the temp right. Usually you see it right away. Mine blonds way too early when I don't temp surf. The process makes it fun. At least to me it was. Now it is kinda hum drum but that is because I like the constant search for knowledge. The machine is still great after a year. I baby it though. Sometimes at the expense of the shot I just made because I want to clean it right away. Clean clean clean and you will have years of enjoyment out of any machine.

The Preciso is garbage. Plain and simple. The company is great but sometimes I think they know they put out a piece of crap and really didn't want any brush back by not replacing the bad units. I got it replaced with the "updated" model and it is still all plastic. The inconsistency is legendary IMO. The stresses grinders go through don't lend themselves to the longevity of plastic. Go with the Vario and save yourself the headache. You will still get the Baratza great service, if you need it, and a proven machine. I wish I did but I'm stuck with the Preciso. I'm not one to throw away $300 and just get another machine. I made the choice and I'm going to live with it. I don't know anything about the Rocky. I do believe there are better grinders out there than the Rocky though.

Pilot sorry you dont like the Preciso I opened mine up this morning...and simply love it. I think that Mark is right and so are the others that have tested/reviewed it. Calling it garbage when those in the know love it are not reconcilable opinions. Its definitely not worth arguingabout though. Hope you had a good Christmas bro.

I've owned it for just under a year, as I stated. I'm very much "in the know." I use it every day and each day the plastic insides warp more and more under great pressure. It becomes completely inconsistent about month 4. Again, I got a replacement unit that was "updated." Again it has become inconsistent about the same time frame. I am anal about how I dose and keep everything the exact same each shot.

Someone asked for opinions so I gave them mine. They can gather all the data and make their own informed choice. Adding input is what this forum is all about to help each other. Sometimes negative feedback is necessary. I love the Silvia and others hate it, se la vie. My extensive use over a year should not be marginalized vs. someone else just because they like it and I don't. Yes, I'm sorry I don't like your christmas present. Don't take it personally.

You got it today and love it. So you used it a few times? Give us your take after 5 months when one shot pulls in 15 seconds and another in 27 when you have used the same exact bean, the exact same dose (16.1 oz.), every freaking time and every time there is a different result by a lot. If that doesn't occur then good on you and I'll be happy for you but make sure you help others by giving honest opinions. Not just rosy ones.

I'd add to that the CC1 - it lists for $699, but is avail refurbished for $599 and someplaces are offering 10% off for new. I bought one so I'm biased. . . but I did like the Gaggia Classic I test-drove. . . .

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